Client JRE Capabilities - Quick Reference

Java rich Internet application (RIA) technology is getting increasingly sophisticated. New features are being added in every release of the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) software. This quick reference helps you keep up with the vibrant technology and implement RIA solutions that work elegantly on all versions of the client JRE software. The quick reference provides information about significant capabilities added in each version of the JRE software starting with the Java SE 6 update 10 release.

Java SE 7

The window of a dragged applet can be decorated with a default or custom title; see Requesting and Customizing Applet Decoration in Draggable Applets.
The following enhancements have been made to the syntax of JNLP files; see JNLP File Syntax:
- The os attribute in the information and resources elements can now contain specific versions of Windows, such as Windows Vista or Windows 7.
- Applications can use the install attribute in the shortcut element to specify their their desire to be installed. Installed applications are not removed when the Java Web Start cache is cleared, but can be explicitly removed using the Java Control Panel.
- Java Web Start applications can be deployed without specifying the codebase attribute; see Deploying Without Codebase
A JNLP file can be embedded into an HTML page; see Embedding JNLP File in Applet Tag.
You can check the status variable of the applet while it is loading to determine if the applet is ready to handle requests from JavaScript code; see Handling Initialization Status With Event Handlers.
You now have control of the window decoration style and title of an applet launched from a shortcut or dragged out of the browser; see Requesting and Customizing Applet Decoration in Developing Draggable Applets.

Java SE 6 update 21

Customized loading progress indicator: Customized loading progress indicator can access applet context and invoke JavaScript code in parent web page.

Java SE 6 update 18

Customized loading progress indicator: Customized loading progress indicator can be displayed in a top level window or applet container. Default splash screen is never displayed. Custom splash screen displayed when loaded from cache.

Java SE 6 update 10

Java Network Launch Protocol (JNLP) Support: The next generation Java Plug-in enables applets that can be deployed by using JNLP and can access JNLP API.
Draggable applet: Applets can be dragged out of the browser if specified as "draggable".
Splash screen: Custom splash screen displayed if specified.

Resources

Java Rich Internet Applications Development and Deployment in Java SE developer guide
Deployment trail in the Java Tutorials